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Proudly an Our Redlands Story Writer Competition Winner

As seen in the Redland City Bulletin

Redlands story competition winners are announced

Brian Williams

A LOVE of life in the Redlands has been captured in verse, prose, film and photographs by the winners of the Our Redlands Story Competition.

The competition, part of Redland City Council’s development of a brand which best defines the city, encouraged Redlanders to share stories about their home and what it meant to them.

A selection of these were published by the Redland City Bulletin. The creativity of locals was reflected with one entry which came via message in a bottle.

Enduring themes among more than 30 entries were water, greenery and Moreton Bay islands.

Redland mayor Karen Williams said entries showed a strong sense that the Redlands, its lifestyle and natural beauty were special.

“There are love stories, reflections on good times and wonderful experiences but, above all, a sense that our city is a really great place to be,’’ Cr Williams said.

“A lot of passion for the Redlands was shown through the entries, with a common thread that we are indeed fortunate to call the Redlands home.’’

Cr Williams said the competition would be invaluable in developing a brand which captured the essence of the Redlands which was about the bay, wildlife, outdoors and community.

“Our entrants felt that Redlands made them feel relaxed, inspired, rejuvenated and that they live in a very special place in the world that is full of natural beauty.

“…These stories, photographs, videos, pictures, poems and even a song help define what’s unique about our city, how it makes us feel, what it gives us back and what we love about it.

“Our major prize winners were quite outstanding, with Veronica Mahoney-Hodges’ great take on just how wonderful it is to get home to the Redlands, Jo Dickson’s Dancing Mangroves, a captivating story in a bottle, and Jennifer Parker’s inspiring imagery in My Redlands.”

Cr Williams said council also had received valuable community input through focus groups with residents and visitors, online surveys, workshops, surveys and pop-up displays around the city.

“Redlands is a bit of a secret in many respects but we have so much to explore around every corner, whether it is our islands, our coastline, our bushland, our rich Quandamooka culture … and our European heritage,’’ she said.

“We want to get our message out about how great our city is and our brand will help do that.”

The new city brand is expected to be unveiled at the end of this year.

The winners, who will each get a Apple IPad 9.7inch retina 32GB Wi-Fi are: